Christian Health Care Center answers neighbors' need

An Internet connection was all some residents wanted last week, and that's one of the things they could find at the Christian Health Care Center.Douglas Struyk, president and CEO of Christian Health Care Center, with visitor Anna Leanheart of Wyckoff.

Wyckoff - The Christian Health Care Center opened its doors to the powerless community on Thursday, Nov. 1, to provide a shelter for warmth, food and the all-important opportunity to charge electronics.

"We will be open to the community until the need is gone and things return to normal," said Douglas A. Struyk, president and CEO.

Struyk and Carol Hertenstein, a nurse and president of the Wyckoff Board of Health, met with the Wyckoff Office of Emergency Management (OEM) team to brainstorm how the facility could help the community during the crisis.

"We have helped out in snow emergencies and took inventory of what we could offer the community," said Struyk. Besides Internet access and warm food, it offered hot showers.

"We can send out our van to transport any resident in need from their home to our campus," Struyk said.

The Wyckoff OEM sent out an email alerting residents of the daytime shelter. Powerhouse Christian Church also was converted into a daytime shelter and was equipped to respond to the needs of families with young children.

At the Christian Health Care Center, resident Anna Leanheart enjoyed a hot lunch and conversation while she charged her cellphone.

"My neighbor told me about the services and drove me over here so I could warm up," said Leanheart. She and others in the auditorium enjoyed episodes of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and movies to help pass the time.

The appreciation was echoed as cold and weary residents found a bright spot in the dark community.

"This is a godsend," said Highview Avenue resident Jerry Silverman, who was without power and water at his home. Silverman took advantage of Internet access to search for a gas generator while warming up with wife Lenore.

He chatted easily with others using the 10 laptops that were provided in the center's conference room.

Karen Kennedy of Wyckoff had attempted to get to work in Montvale but was turned back my closed roads.

"I have never been here before," she said. "The facilities are lovely and the staff has been kind and helpful," said Kennedy.

She notified her boss that she would be working remotely and spent the next six hours at her temporary "office."

Earlier that day, she said, she had dropped her sons at her sister's home in Fair Lawn.

"She had power and the boys fashioned an antenna with wire hangers and are happily watching television. I plan to work from here again tomorrow," Kennedy said.

As word spread, the conference room filled up and residents waited their turns at the newly formed Internet café.

In order to conserve hard-to-find gasoline, Sherri Simon walked with her husband, David, over 2 miles to send out emails and log in to work.

"I am a travel agent so I need to get in touch with my clients," Sherri said.

Meanwhile, husband David charged his iPad and checked emails sent by friends and relatives checking on their well-being.